Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[Elmer Phud]

Will AMD do the right thing and recall all these chips?

Where are the outcries?


AMD software let defective graphics cards slip into the channel

AMD's official graphics card diagnostic and validation software was recently discovered to have a bug that failed to detect defective ATI Radeon HD 2400 and 2600 graphics cards, according to sources at graphics card makers.

Channel vendors pointed out the problem with the cards was due to an error in the BIOS application process.

The issue was not only encountered by small makers, Asustek Computer, Micro-Star International (MSI) and Gigabyte Technology all experienced the problem too, noted the sources.

Although the problem can be easily solved by reapplying the BIOS, because AMD's software did not detect the defect before shipping, the cards will now need to be returned to the makers to be restored. One first-tier maker has recalled over 20,000-30,000 units already, noted the sources.

It is believed that most of the defective cards are still in the channel or on their way back to the makers with only a small number of having already been purchased by consumers, noted the vendors.

AMD responded that Radeon HD 2400 and 2600 chips are throughly inspected before being shipped to graphics card makers. This was an isolated incident and measures were taken to solve the issue as soon as it was detected, the company said.


http://www.digitimes.com/mobos/a20070801PD209.html